Black Girls CODE Presents #FutureTechBoss Series
Meet Belle Reader
It’s Black History Month and Black Girls CODE is thrilled to provide you a glimpse into the future through our #FutureTechBoss Series!
For the past seven years, Black Girls CODE has empowered girls of color all across the country to become future leaders, innovators, and creators in the technology ecosystem. This Black History Month, we are excited to give some of our Tech Divas an opportunity to share their stories with the world; to shine a light on their hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the future via our #FUTURETECHBOSS campaign.
We hope this campaign will serve as motivation and empowerment for the future generation of tech divas and show the world that black girls code and do so much more. As we center our tech divas as #FUTURETECHBOSSES we give notice to the world that the future is on the horizon and our girls are ready to take the reins.
Meet Tech Diva, Belle Reader, an ambitious 12-year-old Bay Area middle school student who recently spoke at H2O World SF & was the youngest attendee at DevCon 4 in Prague!
Why Do you LOVE Black Girls CODE?
I love the Black Girls Code (BGC) organization for many reasons. First, it gives me and other young girls of color the opportunity to learn and express our ideas through new and current technologies. This allows us to use what we learn to shape the future. Secondly, the lessons we learn while participating in BGC aren’t only lessons about technology but they also extend into other areas in my life. For example, I collaborated with six other girls to complete a major project during Summer Camp Session. It required knowing how to exchange ideas and pick the best ones in order to create a solution. Compromise and flexibility was very important. Our project turned out to be a success.
If you were a Superhero what powers would you have?
My super power would be controlling water like the mythical character Poseidon. My dad taught me to surf and I’ve always loved water. Water can be really strong and powerful but also gentle and soothing. And, it helps things grow. If I had this superpower, I could host the best pool parties ever…just kidding!
What is your dream job?
Right now, I am excited by so many things it is difficult to consider only one dream job. I feel that I’m really creative and think differently than most people. But if I could create one based on all my interests, it would be a combination of being an internationally known pastry/dessert chef and a CEO of a digital graphic design company.
Who would you consider your STEM Role Model(s)?
My Dad is my STEM role model. He currently works in the computer technology industry as a Marketing Data Scientist, making predictions on what products people might want to buy. He also worked as a biomechanical engineer who designed artificial bone and bone parts to help people continue living active lives.
What does it mean to you to be a black girl who codes? Describe why the Black Girls CODE mission is important to you.
I have the opportunity to shape people’s perspectives and positively surprise them that gender and the color of a person’s skin don’t matter when it comes to imagining, building and creating technology. It is hard work and talent. And, the BGC mission helps to keep me focused and to always try to exceed expectations.
What is one piece of advice you would give young girl interested in Tech
The one piece of advice I would give is to keep trying to push through obstacles. There will be challenges in learning technology at every turn and you will sometimes feel like you want to quit because it seems too hard to understand. If you keep persevering the outcome will most likely be what you envisioned. This approach not only applies to building technology solutions but also to life.
What is on your playlist right now?
I use the radio as my playlist switching between stations that play certain artists and songs that I want to hear. Right now, the artists who I like the most are: Arianna Grande, Demi Lovato, and ACDC (because I LOVE rock).
If you could have dinner with any three people in the world (living or deceased) who would it be and why?
First, I would love to meet Millie Bobby Brown. She is currently one of my favorite actors because her portrayal of the character “Eleven” seemed so real and relatable to me and the way I behave at times. It also seems that when out of character she is really kind to others and funny, like me, and I would want to know if it is true and possibly become her friend. The second person would be Zendaya. I love watching her show K.C Undercover. At dinner, I would ask what it is like being a young woman of color in the movie making industry, and whether her race and gender helped her in starting her career or held her back in some way. And, the last person would be former First Lady, Michelle Obama. It would be interesting to know how having little to almost no amount of privacy felt like and whether she would do it again if given the opportunity.
What excites you?
Hanging out with my friends excites me because I can tell my friends anything and I simply enjoy the company.
What keeps you up at night?
There aren’t many things that keep me up at night. I try to make sure that in each day I give all my effort when doing my activities so I don’t have any regrets. As I go to sleep, though, one of my last thoughts is wondering how I can make a positive difference in my community the next day.
Favorite movie?
Beauty and the Beast (the one with Emma Watson)
What’s your signature quote/phrase/or saying?
When asked how I am doing, I always respond with “I’m doing great.”.
What would people be surprised to find out about you?
I’m highly competitive. People may see me as a kind and caring person and assume by association that I’m passive. But, I am not. In reality, I am super competitive whether it’s in the classroom or on the soccer pitch.
Black Girls CODE is a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the number of women of color in the digital space by empowering girls of color ages 7 to 17 to become innovators in STEM fields, leaders in their communities, and builders of their own futures through exposure to computer science and technology. For ways to stay involved and support, be sure to join our Mailing List or make a donation!
Stay up-to-date with our Future Tech Boss Series on Twitter as well!
